Trump thanks Secret Service - but is he protected enough?

Recently, Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, expressed his gratitude towards the Secret Service for their swift response in preventing what the FBI has labeled an attempted assassination. The incident occurred at Trump's golf course in Florida, where a man identified by the media as Ryan Routh was discovered hiding in the bushes while Trump was playing golf several hundred meters away. The Secret Service agents, who were conducting their routine security checks, spotted the suspect and acted quickly. They opened fire on him, but he managed to escape and was later apprehended by law enforcement. A former Secret Service agent commented that the agency had a 'good day,' but raised concerns about whether Trump was receiving adequate protection following a previous assassination attempt that occurred about two months prior, which resulted in the resignation of the Secret Service director. The Secret Service agents were performing their standard security sweep at the Trump International Golf Club when they noticed a rifle barrel protruding from the shrubbery lining the course. At that moment, Trump was approximately 300 to 500 yards away from the gunman, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. It remains uncertain whether the suspect fired any shots. An agent quickly engaged with the individual holding the rifle, who then fled the scene. The sheriff stated, 'The Secret Service did exactly what should have been done. ' After spotting the suspect, agents fired several rounds, but he escaped, leaving behind his weapon and other belongings. He was later seen in his vehicle, thanks to a witness who provided a photo to local authorities. The police eventually apprehended him on Interstate 95, roughly 38 miles from the golf course, and he was identified as Ryan Routh. Trump reassured his supporters that he was safe and thanked the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their 'incredible job. ' Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today program, former senior Secret Service member Robert McDonald agreed that the agency had a 'good day,' despite the fact that the would-be assailant got relatively close to Trump. Sheriff Bradshaw pointed out that Trump does not receive the same level of protection as a sitting president. He stated, 'If he was, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded. ' However, two former Secret Service agents argued that Trump requires more protection than other former presidents, especially since he is running for the White House again. Barry Donadio told BBC News, 'We now have to re-evaluate. Should all these candidates get the same presidential protective package? I think that's probably going to have to be the answer. ' McDonald concurred, expressing concerns about the risk of 'copycat' attacks and questioning whether someone else might get closer or use a more powerful weapon to cause serious harm. Politicians from both sides of the aisle shared similar sentiments, with New York Congressman Ritchie Torres, a Democrat, stating that Trump needed 'maximum protection. ' However, a friend of Trump, Chris Ruddy, cautioned that there are risks associated with Trump golfing, noting that the course is a 'very large. sprawling area' that would require a 'mini army' to secure completely. Earlier this year, questions about Trump's security were raised after another assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. On July 13, Trump was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, also killed a member of the crowd and critically injured two others. The Secret Service's handling of that incident led to the resignation of Kim Cheatle, the director of the agency. She has been temporarily replaced by acting director Ronald Rowe Jr. BBC North America editor Sarah Smith noted that the agency would face renewed scrutiny. The Secret Service may argue that it lacked resources, despite claims of having better resources than it did eight weeks ago. In the wake of the recent incident, Trump's allies and his presidential rival, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, condemned the attack. Harris stated that the government 'will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission. ' Members of a congressional task force investigating the attempted assassination in July have requested a briefing with the Secret Service. Meanwhile, the FBI and the state of Florida have launched their own investigations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized that the public deserves to know how the would-be assassin managed to get within 500 yards of the former president and current Republican nominee. The area surrounding the golf course is currently under lockdown, and a significant security presence has been established around Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence.